Bag-in-container assembly and method

ABSTRACT

A flexible bag is positioned in a rigid container, such as a fifty-five gallon drum, and the bag is filled through its spout with flowable product, such as tomato paste. The bag is then expanded in the container to be substantially rigid and thereby reduce film movement and resultant flex cracking. One way that the bag can be expanded, pursuant to this invention, is for a lid to be sealed onto the container and a vacuum drawn from between the bag and the container. Gas volume needs to be present in the bag before the vacuum is applied so that the gas in the bag can expand from the vacuum on its outside. Another way to expand the bag is, after filling the bag with the flowable product, to inject pressurized gas into the bag. For this embodiment, the container need not be vacuum sealable. For example, the container may be formed from a metal, plastic, cardboard and the like, and the container walls can be either solid or have openings. The pressurized gas can be applied before the lid is placed on the container or after it is clamp-sealed onto the container. If it is after (for example through a valve in the bag fitment, the valve extending out through the lid), then the container or lid preferably has a relief valve to allow the air in the closed container to escape as the pressurized gas in introduced into the bag. The bag can have volumes slightly smaller or larger than that of the container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/170,662, filed Dec. 14, 1999, and whose entirecontents are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to flexible bags positioned in arigid container, and more particularly to expanding the flexible bag toreduce film movement and resultant flex cracking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Flowable products are often packaged in flexible bags, which areheld in large steel drums sealed closed with their lids. This allowslarge quantities of the flowable products to be securely stored andtransported to another location where the products can be removed,further processed and repackaged for the consumer. As an example, theflowable product can be a liquid or a particulate-containing liquid,such as juice concentrates (e.g., orange juice), fruit cocktail, yogurtand concentrated tomato paste. As a more specific example, forconcentrated tomato paste, the large drum with the bag of tomato pastestored therein is transported to the customer's processing plant, thelid removed, the bag removed, an uncapping mechanism removes the bagcap, the paste is pumped out of the bag, processed into spaghetti sauce,repackaged (in bottles for example) and delivered to the retail stores.

[0004] During the transport of the drums with liquid-filled bagstherein, the liquid tends to slosh back and forth in the bags. Tominimize this sloshing action, dunnage (filler) is positioned in thecontainer at the top of the bags to fill a head space region. Thedunnage can be bubble wrap, cut-to-fit foam pieces, spray-type foam,flexible “peanuts,” or preformed conglomerate sponge pieces. Thedunnage, while reducing the movement of the bag, does not prevent thewrinkling and flex cracking at the top of the bag, along the liquid“shoreline” in the bag. The flex cracking can cause pin hole breaks inthe bag resulting in product leakage and/or possible productcontamination. Furthermore, significant labor and material costs may beincurred when filling the container with dunnage. When using cut-to-fitfoam as dunnage, the foam piece may require trimming for proper fitmentinto the head space region. Generally, the foam piece is oversized toreduce movement of the bag within the container so that an operator isrequired, usually with difficulty, to compress the foam piece beforesecuring the lid onto the container.

[0005] Examples of the prior art are the following U.S. Pat. No.3,169,690 (Scholle), U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,814 (Jones), U.S. Pat. No.5,046,634 (McFarlin, et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,407 (Huja et al.) andU.S. Pat. No. 5,806,572 (Voller). The entire contents of each of thesepatents are hereby incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Thus, directed to reducing or eliminating the above-mentioned“flex cracking” problem in the prior art bags, an improved flexiblebag-in-container assembly and method are herein disclosed. The assemblyincludes a container, such as a fifty-five gallon steel drum with a lidsealable thereto, a flexible bag stored in the container and filled witha flowable liquid product and expansion means for causing the bag in thecontainer to expand to a more rigid state and thereby reduce thewrinkling in the upper portion of the bag. The volume of the bag can beeither larger or smaller than that of the container.

[0007] One expansion means of the present invention is to fill a bag(preferably when in the container) with the flowable (liquid) product,seal the container closed, and then apply a vacuum in the container. Gas(e.g., one to five liters in a fifty-five gallon bag) will need to beinjected in the bag before (or simultaneously with) the vacuum isapplied so that the bag can be pulled and expanded. The gas ispreferably injected into the bag before the lid is sealed onto thecontainer or after it has been sealed through a gas pressure valveextending through an opening in the top of the lid. The valve can be atthe top of the spout fitment which is sealed to the flexible bagmaterial. The vacuum (due to the lower pressure outside the bag thaninside) causes the bag to expand thereby reducing or eliminating bagwrinkles and/or folds.

[0008] Another expansion means is to inject gas pressure in the bagcausing the bag to expand in the container. The pressure can be appliedafter the lid has been applied to the container in which case a reliefvalve is provided in the container (preferably the lid thereof) to allowthe release of gas pressure in the container when the bag is inflated.(Or less preferably a vacuum can be applied to the container.)Alternatively, the bag can be inflated and then the lid forced down andsecured to the container. The gas pressure causes the bag to expand,thereby reducing or eliminating bag wrinkles and/or folds.

[0009] In either of the two above-discussed expansion means the bag canhave a volume greater than the volume of the container in which case thebag after the expansion process will fill the container, and seat itselfin the container. When the bag volume is larger than the containervolume and is inflated by internal pressure or external vacuum, the bagmakes contact with the rigid container and flex cracking is reduced. Inother words, the bag film is thereby locked against the inside of thecontainer and the bag becomes a skin on the inside of the container anddoes not move when the liquid sloshes back and forth. An option thereofis to include an adhesive on the lid to hold the bag in an expandedstate. Alternatively, the bag can have a volume less than the volume ofthe container in which case the bag after the expansion process willhave a rounded or bulging top, a generally rigid stretched dome, lackingfolds, and also reducing flex cracking.

[0010] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomemore apparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art to whichthe present invention pertains from the foregoing description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first storage and transportsystem of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the bag-in-container assemblyof the system of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 2;

[0014]FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of the upper right cornerof the assembly of the system of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the left portion of FIG. 4;

[0016]FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the right portion of FIG. 4;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a second storage andtransport system of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the bag-in-container assemblyof the system of FIG. 7;

[0019]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 8;

[0020]FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the top right portion of theassembly of FIG. 7;

[0021]FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of a third storage andtransport system of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the bag-in-container assemblyof the system of FIG. 11;

[0023]FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 12;

[0024]FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the top right portion of theassembly of the system of FIG. 11;

[0025]FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment ofa flexible bag of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the flexible bag of FIG. 15;

[0027]FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of a storage and transportsystem of FIG. 15;

[0028]FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the bag-in-container assemblyof the system of FIG. 17;

[0029]FIG. 19 is an enlarged top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 18;

[0030]FIG. 20 is an enlarged elevational view of the upper right cornerof the assembly of the system of FIG. 18;

[0031]FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of an alternative storage andtransport system of FIG. 15;

[0032]FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of the bag-in-container assemblyof the system of FIG. 21;

[0033]FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 22;

[0034]FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the top right portion of theassembly of FIG. 22;

[0035]FIG. 25 is a side elevational view an alternative embodiment of aflexible bag of the present invention;

[0036]FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view of the flexible bag of FIG. 25;

[0037]FIG. 27 is a side elevational view of a storage and transportsystem of FIG. 25;

[0038]FIG. 28 is a top perspective view of the bag-in-container assemblyof the system of FIG. 27;

[0039]FIG. 29 is an enlarged top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 28;

[0040]FIG. 30 is an enlarged elevational view of the upper right cornerof the assembly of the system of FIG. 28;

[0041]FIG. 31 is a side elevational view of an alternative storage andtransport system of FIG. 25;

[0042]FIG. 32 is a top perspective view of the bag-in-container assemblyof the system of FIG. 31;

[0043]FIG. 33 is a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 32;

[0044]FIG. 34 is an enlarged view of the top right portion of theassembly of FIG. 32;

[0045]FIGS. 35A and 35B are side elevational views of alternativeembodiments of flexible bags of the present invention;

[0046]FIG. 36 is a cross sectional view of the flexible bags of FIGS.35A and 35B;

[0047]FIG. 37 is a side elevational view of a storage and transportsystem of FIGS. 35A and 35B;

[0048]FIG. 38 is a top perspective view of the bag-in-container assemblyof the system of FIGS. 35A and 35B;

[0049]FIG. 39 is an enlarged top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 38;

[0050]FIG. 40 is an enlarged elevational view of the upper right cornerof the assembly of the system of FIG. 38;

[0051]FIG. 41 is a side elevational view of an alternative storage andtransport system of FIGS. 35A and 35B;

[0052]FIG. 42 is a top perspective view of the bag-in-container assemblyof the system of FIG. 41;

[0053]FIG. 43 is a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 42; and

[0054]FIG. 44 is an enlarged view of the top right portion of theassembly of FIG. 42.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0055] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are providedherein. The general concept of each embodiment is that a flexible bag ispositioned in a durable storage and transport container. It is to beunderstood, however, that the present invention may be embodied invarious forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and asa representative for teaching one skilled in the art to employ thepresent invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system,structure or manner.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 1-14, embodiments of the present invention areillustrated. A flexible bag 100 is positioned in a durable storage andtransport container 104. The flexible bag 100 is filled with a flowableproduct, such as the particulate-containing liquid products discussedabove. The bag 100 is then expanded to minimize or eliminate thewrinkling and/or folding occurring on the upper top thereof. Two primarymethods of inflating or expanding the upper portion of the flexible bag100 are disclosed herein.

[0057] A first method is to pressurize the bag 100. After the bag 100has been filled with the liquid product, a gas may be injected through avalve 120 into the bag 100. The bag 100 is maintained at a pressurizedstate by closing the valve 120. An inert gas such as nitrogen istypically used for applications where flowable products are subject tooxidation. However, for goods not subject to oxidation, such as for manychemicals, the injected gas can be simply compressed air. The injectedgas pressure can be one to five psi, and the gas volume can be one tofive liters. Referring to the drawings, the container 104 is illustratedas a fifty-five gallon steel drum having a body member 106 and a lid132. It is noted that the present invention is not limited to only drumtype containers but to any form of container known to one skilled in theart. The lid 132 is secured to the body member 106 in a conventionalmanner using a lid ring 138 and gasket 134, as best shown in FIG. 6. Inother words, a semi-circular band catches the upper side of the lid 132and the underside lip of the body member 106, and the band runs aroundthe lip-rim and is locked down with a screw which extends through twothreaded eyelets. The band pinches the top and bottom together. Thus,the lid-ring 138 tightens the lid 132 to the body member 106 when lockeddown with a bolt, and it covers the entire three hundred and sixtydegrees of rotation around the rim.

[0058] The gas can be injected into the bag 100 either before the lid132 has been sealed on to the body member 106 or after it has beensealed on to the body member 106. If the gas is injected before or if itis injected after the lid 132 is sealed, then the valve 120 can beprovided to extend outwardly through the fitment (spout/cap/bag assemblyshown generally at 150) and as best shown in FIG. 5. The valve isattached to a gas pressure source 152 as shown generically in FIG. 1.The gas pressure source 152 can, for example, be simply a connection toa pressure air line. Alternatively, the gas pressure source 152 can be agas pressure pump. When the bag 100 is filled with pressurized gas withthe lid 132 sealed closed to the body member 106, a vacuum/vent valve154 for releasing the pressure in the container 104 surrounding or ontop of the bag 100 should be provided. The vacuum/vent valve 154 can bea relief valve as best shown in FIG. 14, and the relief valve can beautomatically or manually actuated. Alternatively, and less preferablythe vacuum/vent valve 154 can be a vacuum valve connected to a vacuumsource, and the vacuum source is shown generically in FIG. 1 at 160. Thevacuum source 160 can be a standard vacuum cleaner with a regulator,which may pull twenty inches of mercury, or it may be a one horsepowergas or electric vacuum pump or a venturi vacuum pump. This will bedescribed in greater detail with respect to the second method ofproviding the expansion mechanism for the flexible bag 100.

[0059] Alternatively, the bag 100 can be filled with pressurized gasbefore the lid 132 is attached to the body member 106 as shown in FIGS.7 and 10. In this embodiment, a valve may be attached to the top of thefitment which is similar to the gas pressure valve 120. The gas pressurevalve 120 may be simply attached to a gas pressure source such as shownin FIG. 1 at 152. After the desired additional air pressure has beeninjected into the bag 100, such as a pressure from one to five psi, thegas pressure valve 120 is closed. The lid 132 is then fitted onto thetop of the body member 106, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 14. This mayrequire a little pressure to push the bag 100 down and against any airpressure in the container 104 surrounding the bag 100. A relief valve ora vacuum valve such as shown at 154 in the lid 132 can be provided torelease the pressure at the top of the container 104 so the lid 132 canbe fitted securely. While the vacuum/vent valve 154 has been shown inthe lid 132, it is also within the scope of the invention to mount thevacuum/vent valve in the body member 106 of the container 104.

[0060] The arrangement shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be used when the gaspressure valve 120 extends through the lid 132. Referring thereto it isseen that the different fitment components are illustrated including aspout flange 170, gasket 174, lock nut 178, and cap 182 mounted relativeto the lid 132.

[0061] A second means of expanding or inflating the flexible bag 100 soas to reduce primarily film movement and secondarily wrinkling andthereby concomitant flex cracking is to apply a vacuum within thecontainer 104 and around the bag 100. The vacuum can be applied throughthe vacuum/vent valve 154. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, apressure valve is not shown for injecting gas into the bag 100 becausethere is no need to inject a pressurized gas to expand the bag 100. Thebag 100 is expanded by applying a vacuum to the container 104 to createa pressure differential which is internal and external to the bag 100.For this embodiment, it is still necessary to have some air in the bag100 so that the bag 100 can expand as a pressure differential is createdfrom the vacuum, wherein the air in the bag 100 expands as a vacuum isformed in the container 104. Air or other inert gas can be injected bythe automatic filling system when the cap (182) is off, that is, usingthe filling system with a secondary gas valve. Alternatively, the spout(170) can be pulled up slightly to draw air into the bag 100. Ifdesired, pressurized gas may be injected into the bag in conjunctionwith forming a vacuum in the container. In this case, the injected gaspressure can be one to five psi, and the gas volume can be one to fiveliters.

[0062] It is contemplated that the first method of expanding the bag byinjecting pressurized gas is preferable in applications where thecontainer comprises gas permeable materials such as drums formed fromcardboard, large crates having a plurality of openings, and smallerboxes formed from cardboard (i.e. 5 gallon wine-in-box containers). Foraseptic applications and goods subject to oxidation, the second methodof expanding the bag by forming a vacuum within the container ispreferable.

[0063] The flexible bag 100 can be generally any type which iscommercially available including single ply made of nylon and ethylenevinyl alcohol co-extrusion or complex polyethylene mixture or apolyethylene-polyester-polyethylene laminate construction. The fitment150 or spout preferably has a material and construction so that it canbe heat sealed to the bag material.

[0064] The bag 100 itself can have a volume slightly larger than thevolume of the container 104 so that it entirely fills the container whenexpanded. Even though there may be some small wrinkles in the material,the liquid inside of the bag 100 will not move the wrinkles whenimpacting it and thereby cause flex cracking. An alternative embodimentis to have the volume of the bag 100 slightly smaller than that of thecontainer 104, whereby when the bag is expanded it will be taut.

[0065] A preferred embodiment herein is to have the container 104 be afifty-five gallon steel drum such as is known in the prior art and asillustrated herein. However, this invention can be used for generallyany type of bag-in-container system. An example of other useable systemsare wine-in-box containers.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 15-24, further embodiments of the presentinvention are illustrated. A flexible bag 200 includes a product portion202 and an internal bladder portion 204. The product portion 202includes a fitment shown generally at 206. The fitment 206 has threeparts: a spout 208, a valve 210 having a check valve therein, and a cap212. A tube 214 and a gas pressure valve 216 such as a check valve areconnected to the internal bladder portion 204.

[0067] The bag 200 is positioned in the container 104, and the valve 210and cap 212 are removed from the spout 208. The product portion 202 isfilled with a flowable product such as the particulate-containing liquidproducts discussed above, and the valve 210 and cap 212 are thenreattached to the spout 208. The internal bladder portion 204 is thenexpanded to displace the liquid product, wherein the displacement of theliquid product expands the flexible bag 200 to minimize or eliminate thewrinkling and/or folds of the bag 200. The internal bladder portion 204may be inflated by injecting a pressurized gas via the tubing 214 andclosing the gas pressure valve 216 when the internal bladder portion 204is adequately filled. Among the advantages of expanding or inflating thebag 200 with a separate bladder portion is that the pressurized gas isisolated from the liquid product. This feature is particularlydesireable where introduction of a gas may contaminate the liquidproduct (i.e. aseptic applications), where introduction of a gas mayoxidize the liquid product, where gas permeable containers are used,where it is preferable to use a less costly gas such as compressed air,or any combination of these requirements. The container 104 isillustrated as a fifty-five gallon steel drum having a body member 106and a lid 132. However, it is noted that any type of container may beused. As discussed previously, the lid 132 is secured to the body member106 in a conventional manner using a lid ring 138 and gasket 134.

[0068] The pressurized gas can be injected into the inner bladderportion 204 either before the lid 132 has been sealed onto the bodymember 106 or after it has been sealed onto the body member 106.Referring back to FIGS. 15-20, the gas pressure valve 216 can beprovided to extend out through the lid 132 and can be attached to a gaspressure source 210. The gas pressure source 210 may be a motorized aircompressor, a hand operated air pump, a gas bottle, a chemical reagentgas generator, or any other device capable of delivering pressurizedgas. When the inner bladder portion 204 is filled with the pressurizedgas with the lid 132 sealed to the body member 106, a vacuum/vent valve218 for releasing pressure in the container 104 may be provided. Thevacuum/vent valve 218 may be attached to the lid 132 and may be eitherautomatically or manually actuable. If desired, the vacuum/vent valve218 may be used to create a vacuum in the container 104 in conjunctionwith injecting a pressurized gas into the internal bladder portion 204.

[0069] Alternatively, the internal bladder portion 204 can be filledwith pressurized gas before the lid 132 is attached to the body member106 as shown in FIGS. 21-24. In this embodiment, the gas pressure valve216 may be attached to the internal bladder portion 204 such that thevalve 216 is situated within the container 104 when the lid 132 issecured. During the filling of the inner bladder portion 204, the gaspressure source 210 is coupled to either the gas pressure valve 216 orthe tube 214. After the desired amount of gas has been injected into theinternal bladder portion 204, the gas pressure valve 216 is closed. Thelid 132 is then secured to the body member 106. If it is difficult toforce the lid 132 onto the body member 106, a vacuum/vent valve 218 canbe provided to release the pressure in the container 104 and surroundingthe bag 200. Furthermore, the vacuum/vent valve 218 may be used tocreate a vacuum in the container 104 in conjunction with introducingpressurized gas into the inner bladder portion 204.

[0070] The flexible bag 200 can be generally any type which iscommercially available including single ply made of nylon and ethylenevinyl alcohol co-extrusion or complex polyethylene mixture or apolyethylene-polyester-polyethylene laminate construction. The fitment206 is preferably formed from a material and construction to enableattachment by heat sealing. For example, the fitment 206 can be made ofplastic such as polyethylene. In addition, the flexible bag 200 can havea volume slightly larger than the volume of the container 104 so that itentirely fills the container 104 when expanded. The presence of smallwrinkles and/or folds in the bag material should not lead to flexcracking because the bag material remains relatively fixed within thecontainer 104. Alternatively, the volume of the bag 200 may be slightlysmaller than the container 104 such that the bag 200 remains taught whenexpanded.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 25-34, still further embodiments of presentinvention are illustrated. A flexible bag 250 includes a product portion252 and an external bladder portion 254. The product portion 252includes a fitment 255 having a spout 256, a valve 258 and a cap 260. Agas pressure valve 261 such as a check valve is coupled to the externalbladder portion 254 by a tube 263.

[0072] The flexible bag 250 is positioned in the container 104 whereinthe product portion 252 is filled with a flowable product such as theparticulate-containing liquid products discussed above. The externalbladder portion 254 is then expanded to minimize or eliminate thewrinkling and/or folding of the bag 250. The flexible bag 250 may have avolume slightly larger than the volume of the container 104 so that theflexible bag 250 abuts the inner walls of the body member 106 andremains substantially fixed relative to the container 104 in order toprevent flex cracking. In particular, the flexible bag 250 may abut thelower and sidewalls of the body member 106 and the bottom surface of thelid 132. It is noted that flexible bag 250 may have a volume smallerthan the container 104 as long as the flexible bag 250 is dimensionedadequately to either abut the sidewall of the container 104 or abut thelower wall of the container 104 and the bottom surface of the lid 132such that the flexible bag 250 remains substantially fixed relative tothe container in order to prevent flex cracking.

[0073] The external bladder portion 254 may be inflated by injecting apressurized gas via the valve 261 and closing the valve 261 when theexternal bladder portion 254 is properly filled. Among the advantages ofexpanding the flexible bag 250 with a separate bladder portion 254 isthat the pressurized gas is isolated from the product. Severalapplications were such a feature may be required is discussed withrespect to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15-24. The container 104may be a fifty-five gallon steel drum having a body member 106 and a lid132. The lid 132 is secured to the body member 106 in a conventionalmanner using a lid ring 138 and gasket 134.

[0074] The pressurized gas can be injected into the external bladderportion 254 either before the lid 132 has been sealed onto the bodymember 106 or after it has been sealed onto the body member 106.Referring back to FIGS. 27-30, the gas pressure valve 261 can beprovided to extend out through the lid 132 and can be attached to a gaspressure source 263 by a tube 265. The gas pressure source 263 may be amotorized air compressor, a hand operated air pump, a gas bottle, achemical reagent gas generator, or any other device capable ofdelivering pressurized gas. When the external bladder portion 254 isfilled with the pressurized gas with the lid 132 sealed to the bodymember 106, a vacuum/vent valve 267 for releasing pressure in thecontainer 104 may be provided. The vacuum/vent valve 267 may be attachedto the lid 132 and may be either automatically or manually actuable. Ifdesired, the vacuum/vent valve 267 may be used to create a vacuum in thecontainer 104 in conjunction with injecting pressurized gas into theexternal bladder portion 254.

[0075] Alternatively, the external bladder portion 254 can be filledwith pressurized gas before the lid 132 is attached to the body member106 as shown in FIGS. 31-34. In this embodiment, the gas pressure valve261 may be coupled to the bag such that the valve 261 is situated withinthe container 104 when the lid 132 is secured. During the filling of theexternal bladder portion 254, the gas pressure source 263 is connectedto the gas pressure valve 261. After the desired amount of gas has beeninjected into the external bladder portion 254, the valve 261 is closedand the lid 132 is then secured to the body member 106. If it isdifficult to force the lid 132 onto the body member 106, a vacuum/ventvalve 267 can be provided to release the pressure in the container 104and surrounding the bag 250. Furthermore, the vacuum/vent valve 267 maybe used to create a vacuum in the container 104 in conjunction withintroducing a pressurized gas into the external bladder portion 254.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 35-44, still further embodiments of thepresent invention are illustrated, wherein the bladder portion isintegrally formed with the product portion. A flexible bag 300 includestwo preferably rectangular sheets of plastic which form first 302 andsecond walls 304. The sheets are secured together about their perimetersby a first seal 308 to define therebetween an enclosure. A second sealis provided to define the enclosure into a product portion 312 and abladder portion 314. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 35A, the secondseal 309 extends from one side of the flexible bag 300 to an oppositeside of the flexible bag 300. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 35B, thesecond seal 310 is L-shaped and extends from one side of the flexiblebag to an adjacent side of the flexible bag. The product portion 312contains the liquid product while the bladder portion 314 minimizes oreliminates wrinkling and/or folding of the flexible bag 300 wheninflated. The sheets can be secured together by heat sealing, impulsedsealing, radio frequency RF) sealing, or other techniques as would beapparent to those skilled in the art. The product portion 312 has athrough-hole and a fitment shown generally at 316, and the fitment 316has three parts: a spout 318, a valve 320 having a check valve therein,and a cap 322. The bladder portion 314 includes a tube 324 and a gaspressure valve 326 such as a check valve.

[0077] Referring back to FIG. 35B, the flexible bag 300 is provided witha safety channel 328 having a first opening 330 at one end and a secondopening 332 at the other end. In this embodiment, the sheets are notsecured together continuously about their perimeters by the first seal308. In particular, the first seal 308 does not extend continuouslyalong the perimeter of the sheets in the region between the second seal310 and a third seal 328 to form the openings 330, 332. Thus, thepressurized gas in the bladder portion 314 may be channeled outwardlythrough the openings 330, 332 rather than being directed into theproduct during failure of the second seal 310.

[0078] It is noted that the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 35A may alsoinclude a safety channel if desired. Furthermore, the openings of thechannel may be formed by other means generally known to one skilled inthe art. For example, instead of forming a discontinuous perimeter sealalong the sheets, holes may be punched through the sheets to form exitopenings along the channel. Furthermore, the bladder portion may beconfigured in various configurations by simply altering the patterningof the seal dividing the product portion from the bladder portion. Forexample, the seal may extend transversely to the longitudinal axis ofthe flexible bag to form a bladder portion which extends along an upperportion of the bag or the seal may extend longitudinally to the bag toform a triangular shaped bladder portion.

[0079] The flexible bag 300 may be filled in accordance with thefollowing procedure. The flexible bag 300 is positioned in the container104. The container 104 is illustrated as a fifty-five gallon steel drumhaving a body member 106 and a lid 132. As noted previously, the presentembodiment is not limited to steel drums. The lid 132 is securable tothe body member 106 in a conventional manner using a lid ring 138 andgasket 134. The valve 320 and cap 322 are removed from the spout 318.The product portion 312 is filled with a flowable product such as theparticulate-containing liquid products discussed above, and the valve320 and cap 322 are then reattached to the spout 318. The bladderportion 314 is then expanded to minimize or eliminate the wrinklingand/or folding of the flexible bag 300 by injecting a pressurized gasvia the tube 324. When the bladder portion 312 is adequately filled, thegas pressure valve 326 is closed. As discussed previously, one of theadvantages of providing a separate bladder portion is that thepressurized gas is isolated from the liquid product.

[0080] The pressurized gas can be injected into bladder portion 314either before the lid 132 has been sealed onto the body member 106 orafter it has been sealed onto the body member 106. The gas pressurevalve 326 can be provided to extend out through the lid 132 and can beattached to a gas pressure source 334. The gas pressure source 334 maybe a motorized air compressor, a hand operated air pump, a gas bottle, achemical reagent gas generator, or any other device capable ofdelivering pressurized gas. When the bladder portion 314 is filled withthe pressurized gas with the lid 132 sealed to the body member 106, avacuum/vent valve 330 for releasing pressure in the container 104 may beprovided as shown in FIGS. 37-40. The vacuum/vent valve 330 may beattached to the lid 132 and may be either automatically or manuallyactuable. Furthermore, the vacuum/vent valve 330 may be used to create avacuum in the container 104 in conjunction with injecting pressurizedgas into the bladder portion 314.

[0081] Alternatively, the bladder portion 314 can be filled withpressurized gas before the lid 132 is attached to the body member 106 asshown in FIGS. 41-44. In this embodiment, the gas pressure valve 326 maybe attached to the bladder portion 314 such that valve 326 is situatedwithin the container 104 when the lid 132 is secured. During the fillingof the bladder portion 314, the gas pressure source 334 can be coupledto the gas pressure valve 326. After the desired amount of pressurizedgas has been injected into the bladder portion 314, the gas pressurevalve 326 is closed and the lid 132 is secured to the body member 106.If it is difficult to force the lid 132 onto the body member 106, avacuum/vent valve 330 can be provided to release the pressure in thecontainer 104 and surrounding the bag 300. Furthermore, the vacuum/ventvalve 330 may be used to create a vacuum in the container 104 andsurrounding the bag 300 in conjunction with introducing pressurized gasinto the bladder portion 314.

[0082] The flexible bag 300 can be generally any type which iscommercially available including single ply made of nylon and ethylenevinyl alcohol co-extrusion or complex polyethylene mixture or apolyethylene-polyester-polyethylene laminate construction. The fitment316 is preferably formed from a material and construction such aspolyethylene to enable attachment via heat sealing. The volume of theflexible bag 300 may be slightly larger than the volume of the container104 so that it may abut the walls of the container 104 when expanded andremain relatively fixed with respect to the container 104.Alternatively, the volume of the flexible bag 300 may be slightlysmaller than the volume of the container 104. However, the flexible bag300 should be dimensioned such it remains taught when expanded. Forexample, the flexible bag 300 can be dimensioned to either abut thesidewalls of the container 104 or abut the lower wall of the container104 and the bottom surface of the lid 132.

[0083] From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident thatthere are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of thepresent invention which come within the province of those skilled in theart. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing fromthe spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bag-in-container assembly, comprising: acontainer; a flexible bag in the container, the bag fillable withflowable product and a gas; a valve coupled to the container and outthrough which a vacuum is applied inside of the container and outside ofthe bag.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the container includes a lidand the valve is mounted to the lid.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 furthercomprising a pressure valve supported by the bag and in through which apressurized gas is inserted into the bag.
 4. The assembly of claim 3wherein the pressure valve is operatively accessible from outside of thecontainer with the container sealed closed and the filled bag therein.5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the container includes a lid havingan opening and the pressure valve is mounted in the opening.
 6. Theassembly of claim 3 wherein the pressure valve is operativelyinaccessible from outside of the container with the container sealedclosed and the filled bag therein.
 7. The assembly of claim 6 whereinthe container includes a container body and a lid sealable to thecontainer body, and the pressure valve is attached to the lid.
 8. Theassembly of claim 7 wherein the vacuum valve is mounted to the lid. 9.The assembly of claim 1 wherein the bag includes a spout through whichthe product is inserted into the bag when the bag is in the container.10. The assembly of claim 9 further comprising a pressure valve attachedto the spout and in through which pressurized gas is inserted into thebag.
 11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the container is a drum with alid sealable thereto.
 12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the vacuum isone to twenty inches of mercury.
 13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein thevolume of the bag is greater than the volume of the container.
 14. Theassembly of claim 1 wherein the volume of the bag is less than thevolume of the container.
 15. A bag-in-container assembly, comprising: acontainer; a flexible bag in the container, the flexible bag fillablewith flowable product; a fitment on the bag through which the product isinserted and removed from the bag; and a pressure valve coupled to thebag, wherein gas is introduced into the bag through the pressure valveafter the bag is positioned in the container and filled with the productto create a gas pressure in the filled bag.
 16. The assembly of claim 15wherein the gas pressure is one to five psi.
 17. The assembly of claim15 further comprising a vacuum valve positioned to apply a vacuum in thecontainer and outside of the bag.
 18. The assembly of claim 17 whereinthe vacuum is one to twenty inches mercury.
 19. The assembly of claim 15wherein the volume of the bag is greater than the volume of thecontainer.
 20. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the volume of the bag isless than the volume of the container.
 21. A process, comprising: (a)with a flexible bag positioned in a container, filling the bag withflowable product; (b) after (a), introducing a pressurized gas into thebag; and (c) securing a lid onto the container.
 22. The process of claim21 wherein (c) is before (b).
 23. The process of claim 21 wherein (b) isthrough a pressure valve secured to the bag, and the valve is mounted ina lid of the container.
 24. The process of claim 21 further comprisinggenerally during (b), releasing gas pressure in the container butoutside of the bag.
 25. The process of claim 21 wherein the releasing isthrough a valve in the lid.
 26. The process of claim 21 wherein (b)includes applying a gas pressure of one to five psi in the bag.
 27. Theprocess of claim 21 wherein (b) is before (c).
 28. The process of claim21 further comprising applying a vacuum in the container and outside ofthe bag.
 29. The process of claim 21 further comprising adhering the bagto a lid of the container.
 30. The process of claim 21 furthercomprising after (b) and (c), with the bag in the container, removingthe product from the bag.
 31. The process of claim 30 wherein thefilling and the removing are through a fitment attached to the bag. 32.The process of claim 30 wherein the removing includes pumping theproduct out of the bag.
 33. The process of claim 30 further comprisingrelieving gas pressure from the container caused by (b).
 34. A process,comprising: (a) with a flexible bag positioned in a container, fillingthe bag with flowable product; (b) securing a lid to the container; and(c) after (b) applying a vacuum in the container and outside of the bag.35. The process of claim 34 further comprising (d) applying gaseouspressure in the bag.
 36. The process of claim 35 wherein (d) is after(b).
 37. The process of claim 35 wherein (d) is before (b).
 38. Theprocess of claim 35 wherein the gaseous pressure is one to five psi. 39.The process of claim 35 wherein the vacuum is one to twenty inchesmercury.
 40. A flexible storage and transport package, comprising: aflexible bag fillable with flowable product; a fitment secured to thebag; and a gas pressure inlet valve secured to the fitment and throughwhich pressurized gas can be injected into the bag after the bag hasfilled with the flowable product.
 41. The package of claim 40 whereinthe pressurized gas comprises an inert gas.
 42. The package of claim 40wherein the pressurized gas comprises air.
 43. The package of claim 40wherein the fitment is secured in an opening in a lid for a containerfor the flexible bag.
 44. The package of claim 40 wherein the flexiblebag has a product portion and a bladder portion.
 45. The package ofclaim 44 wherein the bladder portion is an internal bladder.
 46. Thepackage of claim 44 wherein the bladder portion is an external bladder.47. The package of claim 44 wherein a seal is provided to separate theproduct portion from the bladder portion, and wherein the productportion is integral with the bladder portion.
 48. The package of claim47 wherein an additional seal is provided to define a safety channel.49. A bag-in-container assembly, comprising: a container; and a flexiblebag in the container, the flexible bag having a product portion and abladder portion, the product portion fillable with flowable product andthe bladder portion inflatable with pressurized gas; wherein theflexible bag remains relatively fixed with respect to the container whenthe bladder portion is inflated.
 50. The assembly of claim 49 whereinthe bladder portion is an internal bladder.
 51. The assembly of claim 49wherein the bladder portion is an external bladder.
 52. The assembly ofclaim 49 wherein a seal is provided to separate the bladder portion fromthe product portion.
 53. The assembly of claim 52 wherein the bladderportion and product portion are integrally formed.
 54. The assembly ofclaim 52 further comprising a safety channel.
 55. A method of storingflowable product, comprising: placing a flexible bag into a storagecontainer; introducing a flowable product into the flexible bag;expanding the flexible bag so as to minimize creases and folds in thebag; and urging the expanded flexible bag into snug contact with thestorage container.
 56. A method according to claim 55 wherein expandingthe bag includes inflating the bag with a gas.
 57. A method according toclaim 56 wherein expanding the bag further includes creating a vacuum inthe storage container.
 58. A method according to claim 55 whereinexpanding the bag includes creating a vacuum in the storage container.59. A method according to claim 58 wherein the bag has been injectedwith excess gas prior to creating a vacuum in the storage container. 60.A method according to claim 55 wherein expanding the flexible bagincludes expanding a top portion of the bag.
 61. A method according toclaim 60 wherein the top portion is a separate compartment from theremainder of the bag.